think outside (of) the box

think outside (of) the box

To think of something that is outside of or beyond what is considered usual, traditional, or conventional; to think innovatively. I've been trying to think outside the box about what I want this term paper to be about. I know the professor hates unoriginal ideas.OK, team, we really need to think outside of the box if we're going to impress the CEO.

think outside the box

Fig. to think freely, not bound by old, nonfunctional, or limiting structures, rules, or practices. (As if thinking or creativity were confined in or limited by a figurative box. Compare this with think inside the box.) You won't come up with good ideas until you think outside the box. Let's think outside the box for a minute and try to find a better solution.

You probably are saying: "I am tired of thinking outside the box in these times of change in an attempt to be a one-minute manager that practices transactional analysis thinking in search of excellence.

We're thinking outside the box, as a mortgage company, doing something directly to help people in Michigan who face job setbacks as a result of a challenging economic environment," said Chris Miller, Senior Vice President of NovaStar Mortgage.

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